Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-02
THE GRAND JURY'S VIEWS
SOME IMPORTANT MEASURES
RECOMME ENDED.

Economy In the Management Of the
Courts The County Commissioners
Urged to Hurry Up tho Building OF the
New JAil-The Tsx Question rhe GA
Cemetery for New Court House site.
The grand Jury OF the Superior Court
made its general presentment yesterday
afternoon and was discharged for the
term.
In the presentment the jury said that 1t
had examined and found correct the
books Of the Sheriff and the Clerk If the
Superior Court. From November, 1888.
to November, 1886, 236 cases were tried
In the Superior Court. or these l&5 We're
tried by jury, - were dismissed, tt cases
were settled and 20 were tried without a
jury. The amount paid the juries in that
time wss 1921 IS, which, the present
ment added, was "a large amount con-
sidering the business done, more espe-
ciRlly as in the City Court Gil eases in
the same time were tried and the
Jury only paid $4,000. ave therefore
recommend" the report continued. THAT
the solicitor procure the passage OF an act
in the Legislature permitting the Waiv-
ing in this court Of jury trial When All
parties t. suit are willing.
ExPENsEs OF rRE COURTS.
1--WE tnd, also, that the entire expense
Of the superior Court from Novem Der,
1885, TO November. 1886, is $lS,lS0 81. This
appears 10 he very large for the number
Of eases tried. and we earnestly request
His Honor Judge Adams to use his best
efforts to see II the expenses OF this court
cannot be reduced. In the interest OF the
public and. il may De, in the interest OF
The officers and Oailiffs OF this court, as
the business for several reasons Is fall
ing Of very much. We recommend
that the solicitor nave an act passed
giving all the officers aud bailiifs Of this
court lNed salary, and that al fines
and foYteltures. all perQulsltes and costs,
and lees OF whatever character, De paid
into the county treasury
COUNTY OFFICIALS RookS
The books OF the Tax Collector ana Re-
ceiYer Of Tax Returns and Ordinary were
all reported to be kept correctly, aud
We're commended. A reduction Of Sl2,
200 IN the county's expenditures was
qoioted out, and was recommended 10
the County Commissioners. 1t was re,
commended that all public trust funds
should he p'ai' in the hands OF the
County Commissioners Tee Ordinary's
fees were not touud peculiar 10 Castham
county, ana were not C0nSld- |
cred excessive by the jurors.
The Commissioners were urged to hurry
up the WORK OIL the new jail, AS the Old |
Jail is uurttog prisoners. In regard to the |
mS-ls ,rajes, the preSeutment said: I'VE !
have also examined the dockets of the I
Justices Of the Peace for Chatham county /
and ind them to be correct, With the ex- !
ceptiou tGRt no dates are recorded as 10 /
the day OF the montE SOen the cases are |
entered on the docket and what date the |
same are disposed Of. This we consider |
2 very important matter and recommend |
that hereafter this be insisted upon.
THE JUSTICES OF TIE PEACK.
ain one case we find The civil docket |
correct but In the criminal docket DO evil
dence appears that any costs were paid. !
the Justice claiming that he considers
such entries as to receipts and costs and
by whom paid 70 he illegal in criminal
cases. In another case the criminal
dOcSet alone was presented ard appeared,
upon examination, Irregular. as cases OF
misdemesnOr and riot were apparently
settled in manner not satisfactory 10
this jury. In one case no books were pre-
sented tor examination, as it vas reported
that be had done no business"
Toe only suggestion in reference 10
public schools was that when the wealth
and financial condition OF the county
warrant it more teachers be employed.
Tsg TAN QUESTION.
The jury had hoped that the increase in
taxable prnHertv would bring 4 decreased
assessment. aud Il views with much uu.
essicess the continued raising Of cur
taxes" "A few Years ago the rate wa>
~ mills," saws the prssentment. Instead
" being decreased with increased wealth /
il has been raised 70 mills. We request
the County Commissioners 70 SO ecouo- |
mlEe the affairs Of this county as TO make |
tie rate 81 - mills 50 flcleuL
We thinA tnis ought to be enough. and !
n il cannot De managed tn any other way 4
Ne SHOULD follow the example Of the PEG. I
pie OF Blob county, who hSye legislative
act forb,ddtng the raising ,ae rate shove
= percentage fixed BY them. WItA Us lt
ought not 70 be liked 81 more than =.
mills
NEW COURT HOUSE.
On the subject OF a new court house the
,0Tars said; w ale we fully appreciate
The inadequate space and facilities afford
ed the officials in the present court house.
We are also confronted with the heavy
taxes under which we are lsboring.
and are unwilling TO recommend /
anything that will Increase them.
We. however. think tEst it would
he iniudicl0us 10 attempt 10 repair tnls
build NJ. believing il would be better 70
sell IL and the lot on which il stands. And I
we would recommend tGat Jhe necessary
stems BE- taken 10 get possession OF = par
OF tie old cemetery or some Other 81 table !
Dot, ana wnen tie necessary funds can oe
raised without increase az taxation thar
building be erected that Will be sc orna-
ment 10 the city"
TIRE PUBLIC ROADS.
Tee public roads were reported 70 De
an fair condition. Tie prsseutment was
slggel oY 4. II GUeTari, foreman.
" zen ice reading u the rsO0rf WAS
hnisned Judge Adams expressed toe
usual thanks 20 tn Jurors. Before dis
charging them be informed them that %
secure the changes which they desired
In the matter OF expense and trial BY Jury.
tue State Constitution Will have 10 b.
amended. HIS honor added that be had
always tried TO keep the expenses OF the
cocgt As low as possible, and mentioned
i0e fact that he not infreQueutiy sits
bearing cases from 10 a. N. until late 81
nlkht, ans sometimes until midnixat